One on One With Dee Daniels 2009 Update

Updated winter 2010

One on One with Dee

There are many things on the horizon for 2010. A most exciting one will be the release of a new recording later in the year. As an evolution of my 2007 ‘Jazzinit’ CD, I will be moving to the next level by recording original songs in a new musical style. I’m sooooo excited! In the fall (and maybe sooner) I will be posting downloadable mp3s of the songs on my site as well as on the usual downloading sites for your listening and purchasing pleasure. In the meantime, I’ll be sticking close to home to continue writing and recording throughout the year.

Another upcoming event for 2010 will be two concerts with the world renowned Boston Pops in June in a Pops program entitled “A Tribute to Duke Ellington”. I will be sharing the stage with my favorite conductor, Jeff Tyzik. I can hardly wait! More info on my ‘Dee Live’ page.

It’s been a while since I’ve been in touch so Iet me share a recap of last fall. I MUST begin by thanking Capilano University for bestowing an Honourary Doctorate Degree of Fine and Applied Arts on me last June 9, 2009. You can only imagined how thrilled I am. I’m still getting use to the new title of Dr. Dee!

2009 was quite a year for unique artistic opportunities. Some of them have caused me to venture into new and different territory with very exciting results. One of the most exciting was having the opportunity to work with the great New York choreographer, Twyla Tharp, in the premiere performance of her new musical, Come Fly Away. We completed a successful three-week run in Atlanta’s Alliance Theater on October 11, 2009. All reviews, including those in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, Variety, the Washington Post, and many other sources, raved about the show. Needless to say, it was wonderful to be a part of it.

I’ve wanted to get involved in public speaking for the past couple of years. Thanks to Capilano University, and to the BC Music Educator’s Association, I was able to give two keynote addresses. The first was for graduates of the Fine and Applies Arts Department of Capilano University, and the second was for the BC Music Educator’s Conference held in Vancouver, BC.

There was a third opportunity as well... I was the Luncheon Keynote Speaker for the Sixth Annual Women’s CEO & Senior Management Summit: The Corporate State Canada, held in Toronto, Ontario on October 21, 2009 at the Sutton Place Hotel. My subject was ‘Answering the Call of Spirit’. All three addresses were fun to do.

On November 20, 2009 in Vancouver’s St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, a dream I’ve had for two years came true. I teamed up with Fred Stride, 2008 winner of the Canadian National Jazz Composer of the Year award, to present Western Canada’s premier performance of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music. Fred and I partnered with Vancouver’s First United Church Mission for a fundraising performance benefiting the Mission’s work in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

The concert raised $40.00.00 net. I thank First United Church’s planning committee for the time and loving energy they put into helping me organize the event, along with all of our sponsors, volunteers, musicians, and everyone who attended the sold-out concert.

It was a glorious event... so much so that we are already planning the first ‘annual’ concert in celebration of the Mission’s 125th Anniversary of serving the residents of the Downtown Eastside, which includes a multitude of Vancouver’s homeless. The date is November 19, 2010. We will return to St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church. Mark your calendars now and come support this worthy cause and hear great music at the same time!

In the meantime, if you would like to help the Mission continue this most important work, please make your donations through their website, or contact Nina Matthews at 604-681-8365 (ext 117) or nina.matthews@firstunited.ca.

Stay tuned... I look forward to seeing you at a concert or event in your area. Thanks for your continued support.

Dr. Dee